Kids Speak

Laws, zoos, eagles and wolves . . . kids have a lot to say about endangered species.

I think that there are just too many endangered species. When I went to the St. Louis Zoo almost every animal there was on the endangered species list. Endangered species are wrongfully killed for profit and trade. I think there should be tougher laws on poachers and more national parks for the animals to live in their natural habitats.

I really have not done much to help the endangered species but I guess I need to boycott the killing of animals for souvenirs like teeth, claws and feathers. Or I could write letters to important people who could change things.

Jeremy Hagen, 8th grade, St. Francis Borgia Grade School, Washington

I feel that there should be more penalties for people who kill endangered animals just because they want to sell parts of these animals. I think that if someone kills an endangered animal that they should be put in jail for five or more years and have to pay a fine.

You can help the endangered animals by not buying ivory or other products made with endangered animals. You can also help endangered animals by helping the police stop people who kill these animals. We all have to do our part.

Doug Holdmeyer, 8th grade, St. Francis Borgia Grade School, Washington

I think people killed the eagles just for the sport of it, then they bragged to their friends. I don't understand why people would kill the eagles. Eagles are pretty birds. I used to live in Illinois. My dad and I would go fishing at Hampton Dam, and there would be five eagles flying around. Sometimes they would swoop down and catch a fish. I could watch them for hours.

Pat Dillinger, Harviell

L ast year I learned about a few of the endangered animals through my school and it made me want to do something. So I decided to help Missouri songbirds. I try not to disturb their natural habitat but make sure they have plenty of fresh food and water year-round near my home. I really enjoy bird-watching. It is a lot of fun. I wish everyone would take an interest.

Janelle Dimmett, 3rd grade, Villa Ridge

Wolves are about extinct because wolves kill cattle and farmers used to catch wolves. And because we don't have wolves, we have a bunch of whitetail deer. That's how we got a longer deer season. So if you ever see a wolf, just leave it alone.

Jamie Hart, age 8, Princeton

I think people should keep protecting animals. I don't think people should cut down trees all the time. They need to leave a lot more so the animals can have shelter. I know people need to cut them to build houses and things, but sometimes they cut too much.

I really care about animals. Some people don't think that it would be pretty hard to go without shelter. The people who kill endangered animals shouldn't because if they kill a lot of one animal, the animal that eats that animal won't have anything to eat.

Sara Solomon, Hamilton

I think it's sad to know that animals are dying because of us. One of the things that really bugs me is that some are almost extinct. I'm in fourth grade. When I was in third grade we made peanut butter pinecones and put bird seed on them. We also put fruit out for raccoons and deer and other animals. I also live on a farm and I see all kinds of animals.

We should make more parks for animals to run, and so people can enjoy it. People love to see all sorts of animals-I know I do. We could also make places for animals where people can't do anything to harm them at all.

Blair Henry, 4th grade, Hamilton